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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri SB 992 replaces state testing with nationally norm-referenced assessments upon federal education department dissolution
Last action · January 8, 2026: Second Read and Referred S Education CommitteeSponsor: Mike Henderson
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 992 repeals state laws requiring the State Board of Education to develop a statewide assessment system, replacing it with s for student testing. This change and the repeal of related assessment provisions take effect only upon official notification that the United States Department of Education has been abolished or dismantled by Congress.
The measure shifts public school testing standards from state-developed tests to national norm-referenced exams, affecting how student academic performance and school accreditation are evaluated across Missouri districts once federal conditions are met.
- Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests have served as the state's primary statewide assessment tool for measuring student proficiency under previous educational standards. context
- Similar legislative proposals regarding statewide assessments and alternative testing measures were introduced during prior legislative sessions as SB 542 and HB 1123. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
school districts
School districts must administer nationally norm-referenced assessments instead of the state-developed assessment system once the act takes effect.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The department must update school accountability report cards and assessment guidelines to reflect the use of nationally norm-referenced tests.
students
Public school students will take nationally norm-referenced tests rather than the Missouri Assessment Program once the trigger conditions are met.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What testing changes does SB 992 make for Missouri public schools?
When will these testing changes take effect?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
3 actions- Jan 8, 2026SenateFloorSecond Read and Referred S Education Committee
- Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroducedS First Read
- Dec 1, 2025SenatePrefiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. The text on record is the 4437S.01I - Introduced version. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Transition to National Testing Standards
The bill completely removes statutory references to the statewide assessment system and replaces them with nationally norm-referenced tests, contingent on federal agency dissolution.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.senate.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz45Current news / social attention level
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